Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Jersey dress with a vintage feel.


Have I ever mentioned that I also have a love for dresses with a vintage look? I actually think I have mentioned my occasional grandmother style in an earlier post but in case you missed that, I think we have a good example in this dress. 
Oh boy I love it...ehh, are you even supposed to say that when you made it yourself? Oh well, what I meant to say is that sometimes a project comes out exactly - or even more rare better - than you expected. And this dress is one of them. 

I apologize but I could just not control myself when I saw this 1960s filter in my photo editing program. I mean c'mon!


Normally I would stay far away from more complicated projects that also require sewing/stitching (not just overlocking) in knit/jersey fabric since I only have a domestic sewing machine and they are not that good friends with knits. And you know how annoying perfectionistic I can be. But I can slack on the perfectionism as long as it is for internal use only (me or my kids) and the outside of the garment is up to my standards. People with my type of education are taught to make the insides almost as nice as the outside but we are also mostly trained on industrial sewing machines and it can be frustrating to try to get the same results with a domestic sewing machine. I sold my industrial sewing machine when I closed my company and I have missed it every day since and a new one is VERY high on my wish list (Hubby are you taking notes!!)

Okay, so what made me decide to make this dress with the smoking inspired front yoke....in knit? Well, for several reasons. First I have decided to challenge myself more when it comes to sewing as in put some more details on the clothes that I am making. The kids are not exactly missing clothes so no reason to rush.  I am the type who gets frustrated if a project takes too long and when I start on something I want to finish it within reasonable time. We have done some changes to the kids' preschool schedule and I now have 3 mornings for sewing so that will help. Oooh, I was suppose to go grocery shopping, get some exercise or tidy up when the kids are in school? Whatever, I will never win the prize for best housewife anyway, haha. 
And I mean there is no doubt that the more work you put into a garment the more happy you will be with the finished result, right. 
The last reason is the fabrics I ended up choosing. Since I bought the yellow fabric with the flowers I knew it had to become a dress. And you know how I love to mix fabrics and that dark coral/dusty pink fabric was just a perfect match. But is is also the type of knit that is quite firm and not that stretchy or soft and that is actually an advantage when you what to sew/stitch in it. Not like the yellow one that is super soft, has a beautiful drape and is perfect for the semi full skirt this dress has. 

I want to share this little trick for hemming knit fabric with a domestic sewing machine that I have googled myself to. And I have been using it ever since (and probably will continue to do until I get my industrial sewing machine). I did not like the result before when I was trying to hem a knit garment sewing from the inside of the skirt (or t-shirt, sleeve etc).
So via google did I end up on this website Genie Centre that many of you probably already knows. Judith the Genie said to sew your hem from the right side of the fabric - like you see on the photo above - and yippie that worked (but don't think you can skip the ironing afterwards). Since you have the visible overlock seam on the inside the result is not completely beautiful. But the outside is smooth and the seam is even so for homemade use it is, at least for me, good enough. By the way don't forget to change to ball point needles before you start sewing - they are made for knits.

So here we are with another jersey dress made from the same (self drafted) base that the dress my last post showed but still so very different. 

And remember if you like what you see and read on this blog you have several ways not to miss another post. See the right side column for Facebook, Bloglovin' and Google Friend Connect options. I would love to have you onboard! 

And now to the best part. My blog has been featured in the following blog:
Blissful & Domestic
Look HERE to see what link parties this post is participating in.

30 comments:

  1. Adorable little dress!!! The red is the perfect contrast...

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  2. Wow....!!! Awesome......!!! Thanks for sharing such a fabulous idea.
    www.blissfulsewing.blogspot.com

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  3. What a great job! Perfect for back to school, I'm a new follower from a blog hop, feel free to follow back! www.iheartpears.blogspot.com

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  4. what a sweet girl! this dress is darling, i want one for myself! i would love for you to come link this, or any other post you'd like to up to my weekend link party http://lovenotesbylauryn.blogspot.com/2012/08/spread-love-link-party-20.html
    hope to see you there!
    have a great weekend!
    {love} lauryn @ lovenotesbylauryn.blogspot.com

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  5. love it the style and colors are so pretty together

    come over and say hi at http://shopannies.blogspot.com

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  6. This is so twenties style. I love the tucking. What type of domestic machine would you recommend? I'd like to buy a Bernina

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    1. I don't have a lot of experience with domestic sewing machines. But I have a JUKI which is the same brand as the industrial sewing machine I had (and hopefully soon will buy again). And the domestic JUKI works very well....but I have a hard time judging whether it's better than others? I would say Bernina has a good reputation and also the brand Pfaff.

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  7. I adore the colours, the print and the style :0)

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  8. This is sooo stinking adorable.. That sweet dress reminds me of little orphan Annie.. I just love it!
    xoxo
    Amie @ Pinkapotamus

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  9. What a lovely dress! The design and the colors are perfect on your sweet model. And that vintage photo effect looks great too!

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  10. It is so very different! And I love this one too! The colours and the smocking are lovely. Do most people sew hems from the inside? I've always done it outside up so that I don't have my bobbin thread showing. Whoohoo, nice to know I'm doing something properly. Thanks for sharing at Etcetorize this week!

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    1. I don't know what other people do but I normally hem from the inside....unless knit (from not that long ago :-) If your bobbin thread does not look like your upper thread there could be something wrong with the tension. Try to tighten or loosen the little screw on your bobbin case (or whatever it is called in English). See if that helps.

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  11. Wow, that is so cute. What in inspiration!

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  12. You should put up a tutorial for this! It's darling!

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  13. BEAUTIFUL!!!! I love everything about this dress!

    Thanks so much for sharing this at The DIY Dreamer.. From Dream To Reality!

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  14. Such a sweet dress! Thanks so much for sharing it with us this week! Hope you have a wonderful week!

    Take care,

    Trish

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  15. I'm in love with this dress! I think it turned out beautifully. Excited to have found you from the sew much ado link up!
    www.onceuponasewingmachine.com

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  16. This dress is absolutely adorable. Love the vintage look as I love most things vintage. The little girl is pretty cute too! :)

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  17. This is darling! I think it turned out perfect. I'd love you to link up over at ONE little MOMMA for WKWW-What Kids Wore Wednesday.

    http://onelittlemomm.blogspot.com/2012/08/wkww-what-kids-wore-wednesday-1.html?utm_source=bp_recent&utm-medium=gadget&utm_campaign=bp_recent

    kilee

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  18. Hi Mie, I love love love the dress! It is perfect and the model makes it look from its best side! You can also use twin needles for making the hem stitching, it looks quite nice and makes the hem stretchable.
    Kærligst Rikke

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  19. The dress is adorable!!! Thanks so much for linking up at our (Heart)&(Home) gathering :) Your pretty dress was featured today! feel free to come grab a featured button.

    Hope you'll come back again to link up more projects :)

    blessings,
    lauren
    www.mercyinkblog.com

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  20. This is seriously adorable. I love knits just because kid's prefer them! You did it so well, it looks amazing!

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  21. I love all that You create, it's so original and cute! This dress has stolen my heart :-)

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